The Cal-Earth Institute (California Institute of Earth Architecture) in collaboration with Vide Terra organizes a SuperAdobe workshop in Italy. This 8 days intensive course teaches how to apply the SuperAdobe/earthbag technique for a dome construction. The participants will receive an official certificate of completion from the Cal-Earth Institute. During the workshop we will build an earth dome with a door opening and a window. The purpose of the course is to give the theoretical and practical tools useful to design and build a small earth structure or living space.

The workshop will be divided into a theoretical and a practical part.

Theory:
- Earth architecture and the importance of building with earth
- The SuperAdobe technique
- The principles of the arch and of the dome
- SuperAdobe dome designing principles
- Earth composition
- Techniques used to recognize earth suitable for construction and how to calibrate the mix
- Soil improvement and stabilization
- Water management
- Introduction to the protection and waterproofing of domes
- Interaction between the electrical/plumbing systems and the SuperAdobe structures
- Designing more complex structures and connections between domes
- Presentation of the Eco-Dome housing unit

Practice:
- Hands on construction of a complete 1,8-2m earth dome (foundation and structure)
- Creation of openings for doors, windows and ventilation
- Introduction to plastering

Tuition Costs:
600€ - if you book your place before June 10th 2025
680€ - if you book your place after June 10th 2025
The places are limited. The deadline for the registration is July 15th 2025. We may anticipate the closing of the registration if we reach the maximum number of participants. The course will be held in English and Italian.

Booking:
A 150 euros deposit will be requested to book. The deposit will be fully returned in case of workshop cancellation. The deposit cannot be returned in case the attendee will not attend the course. Please write to davide@videterra.org for booking your place.

PROMOTION: Discounts available for groups of 2 or more people.

Accomodation:
- Two big rooms used as dormitories are available. The two dormitories are divided by gender, and they are located in a nice wood and straw house which is in phase of completion. The house is in the land where the workshop will take place. The dormitories will have a maximum of 6 beds each. The bathroom is shared. The cost for a bed in the dormitory is 9 euros per night per person.
- It is also possible to place your own tent for 6 euros per night per person (tent and equipment not provided). In the land there is a nice wood/forest where it is possible to camp under the shade of the trees. There will be outside showers (hot water) and an outside toilet available.
- On the land there is also a tiny (8 square metres) wooden cabin, which can fit 2 single beds. This is ideal for a couple or two people who would like to share a small room. The toilets and showers are shared with the participants staying in the house mentioned above.
The cost is 14 euros per person per night.
- It is possible to rent some apartments (not managed by us) in Coazze village (about 2-3 km from the building site) for about 25 euros per person per night.
The participants are free to find other accommodation solutions, but they have to be able to reach the workshop site in autonomy.

Meals:
The host will provide breakfast, lunch and dinner for 33 euros per day. The breakfast is self-managed, we will provide a variety of products and the participants will arrange their own breakfast (a small kitchen will be available for the preparation). The lunches and dinners will be provided by a local restaurant with which we have a convention.

The trainers:
​ ​The workshop will be held by Davide Frasca (founder of Vide Terra, representative and trainer of the Cal-Earth Institute in Italy, designer and builder of superadobe​ domes, specialized in earth architecture), helped by Iwo Soczewka (visual artist, superadobe practitioner). More info in About us

​ For further info and to register:
davide@videterra.org
Tel. 0039 3394178848